At the Neck pain support blog– we have discussed many times the phenomenon of whiplash- the violent backward and forward motion of the neck during a motor vehicle accident that can cause neck pain, injury to the soft tissues and discs, and decrease in range of motion of the neck. A new study published in the july issue of the Journal Brain Injury shows that whiplash can also cause anatomical changes that can result in brain injury.
The study examined the MRI scans of 1200 neck pain patients and found that those patients suffering from whiplash were more likely to have anatomical changes to the brain resulting in brain injury, specifically, a herniation of the brain called Chiari malformation, in which the bottom part of the brain (the cerebellum) dips through an opening in the base of the skull after a whiplash injury. Preliminary findings showed that brain injury occurred in 23% of the whiplash cases studied.
Chiari Malformation can cause symptoms such as headaches, eye pain, dizziness, vertigo, facial pain, upper extremity (arm or hand) numbness and tingling and weakness (see chart below). It is advisable to have a thorugh examination if you have suffered a whiplash type of accident.
Read more about this study here: New Study Finds Whiplash Caused Brain Injury in Over 20 Percent of Cases
Picture Source: Chiari Malformations Symptoms Chart– UW Medicine Department of Neurological Surgery Chiari Malformation Clinic
Additional Reading Resources:
- Physical and Mental Trauma associated with Whiplash: More than just Neck Pain…
- What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Whiplash Accident
- Can Whiplash Cause Shoulder Pain?
- Part 4: Reducing Whiplash injuries by 90% – just by changing one thing in your car
- How Does Whiplash Occur?
Thanks for sharing this article.
I had a car crash and suffered severe poblems following this due to what initial was stated as whiplash on investigation it was discovered tat I have a Chiari Malformation but was completely asymptematic before the crash.
What can I do to relieve some f the symptoms and relieve the pain? am taking so many pain killers I rattle
Last Month I had injured in a serious accident where my head has been thrown back and forth in rapid succession, compressing and then over-extending the ligaments that surround the top of the spine. According to doctor rapid movement damage to the neck and upper body.
Whiplash is probably the most common injury suffered as a result of a road traffic accident. The sudden jolt from even a low speed impact could mean your head, neck and back are thrown forwards and backwards with severe force in a fraction of a second.
So many factors can determine the extent of a whip lash injury in men and women. Age is a huge factor whether you a male or female. Your current state of health and posture play an important role in determining the effects of a whiplash injury.
The symptoms are not good! You may experience the pain during your sleep and feel discomfort anytime. For people who are showing signs of this injury after an accident, it is advised to visit a chiropractor for relief.
I appreciate the post. In my practice, I see a lot of whiplash injuries. Some old, some new. The old injuries– the ones not treated at the time of the injury– show degenerative joints and discs. I am left to wonder how much of that could have been avoided had the patient received proper care at the time of the accident.
Thanks for educating the public.
I appreciate the post. In my practice, I see a lot of whiplash injuries. Some old, some new. The old injuries– the ones not treated at the time of the injury– show degenerative joints and discs. I am left to wonder how much of that could have been avoided had the patient received proper care at the time of the accident.
Thanks for educating the public.
Seriously? You do not want to have your neck adjusted if you have Chiari.